I recommend a podcast from the World Service called "50 Things that Made the modern Economy". They are short (8min) episodes, by Tim Harford (the Undercover Eco

I recommend a podcast from the World Service called "50 Things that Made the modern Economy". They are short (8min) episodes, by Tim Harford (the Undercover Economist). Some of them are the obvious, but there are also many less so items that have had surprising impacts. Obviously they are short, so not lots of details, but they always cite their sources at the end if you are inspired to read more.